The award is given to Oregon fire districts that are “trailblazers who solve problems, remove obstacles, and lead others to success.” was presented in recognition of the unique partnership between the Lebanon Fire District and COMP-Northwest. Affectionately called WLEA (“wheelie”), the Western University Lebanon Fire Emergency Alliance is a unique volunteer program in which medical students from the college volunteer as operational firefighters with the District. Prospective student volunteers must apply, interview and then complete a rigorous Firefighter I Academy. The program benefits the students as they must volunteer in the community to graduate, and it provides LFD with more operational firefighters on the fireground, and the Lebanon community as a whole. The OFDDA award also recognized LFD’ts Fire Corps program, a group of volunteers who provide emotional and practical support to fire victims and families. They also do car seat education, keep track of the life jackets at our kiosks, and since 2017 have installed 950 smoke alarms in homes in our community. The men and women of the Fire Corps are also trained to provide on scene rehab to firefighters during active fires and live fire drills.
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